Pacific Prime | What To Expect From Preschools in the UAE

Posted on

17 February 2014

| Last updated on 19 April 2017

What To Expect From Preschools in the UAE

Pre-school children

When the time comes for your little one to move on from the creche or nursery to preschool, you may be a little anxious over what lies ahead for your child. You will want to know as much as possible about the types of preschools there are in the UAE. Here, we provide some background information on preschools across the Emirates and how they will cater to the growing needs and development of your child.

What is a preschool?

Preschools, also known as early learning centres, kindergartens or Montessori schools, differ from standard creches and nurseries due to their focus on learning and education. Children attending such a preschool are expected to take part in classes and activities that have been specifically designed to help your child to prepare for primary school. Preschools offer a fun and curriculum-based environment which helps kids to make the transition from creche to school.

What programs are available?

Although it depends on the preschool in question, a majority will offer three programs. These are half day (morning), half day (afternoon) or full day. The opening hours of the preschool will also vary, but most will open between 7.30 and 9am and close between 5 and 6pm. Drop off and pick up times can also be arranged according to the parent’s individual circumstances.

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Fees

The fees charged by the preschool will depend on which program you wish to enroll your child under, but it is worth noting that the average cost is, at present, between 5,000 and 7,000 AED per month. Many preschools do not openly advertise their fees, instead of asking interested parents to contact the preschool for further information and to discuss program costs.

Are preschools open all year round?

Preschools which follow a dedicated curriculum tend to open for roughly 10 months of the year. This time, frame is similar to the national school year calendar; that is three terms in total with a two-month break during July and August. During the summer months, most preschools will organise summer camps, ensuring your kids remain occupied and active over the holidays. Preschools will also close on national and public holidays, and on weekends.

Meals, drinks and refreshments

Healthy and nutritious snacks and juices are provided as standard to all children. Those enrolled in full day programs are also entitled to a meal at lunchtime. Religious and cultural sensitivities around certain foods are also respected by all preschools.

Class size and number of teachers

The number of teachers per class will depend on the number of kids in the class, but the standard child to teacher ratio is roughly 8:1 across the UAE. Smaller class sizes are proven to allow teachers and children to interact and communicate more easily with each other. Younger kids may also have additional teaching assistants on hand to help teachers.

Enrollment

Enrollment usually must take place at least two months before the child is permitted to join the preschool. Parents that are moving to the UAE on short notice can typically contact the preschool to arrange an interview and discuss enrollment. It should be noted that some of the most popular preschools in Dubai and Abu Dhabi may have a waiting list for certain age groups, or for children at certain stages of development.

General advice

A simple internet search will provide you with a general idea of the preschools in your area. It is always advisable to visit the preschool with your child to see what the school is like, and also to give your child an indication of what to expect once they start to attend. At first, it may seem daunting to your little one, but once they see other children being happy and at play, they will become more relaxed and less anxious about starting this exciting new chapter in their lives.